Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham will be sidelined for around six weeks after an examination Thursday revealed that he suffered a fractured left hamate bone.

Beckham, 26, originally suffered the injury on a swing in the second inning of Tuesday's game at Washington. An early x-ray revealed no break, but further tests Thursday showed the fracture.

Third baseman Jeff Keppinger will move to second, and the Sox will make a roster move prior to Friday night's game at Cleveland.

"I never actually broken a bone in my body, so when I was moving it around the last couple days, I actually felt like it’s something I never felt before," Beckham said.

"The MRI confirmed what I thought. I really had a hard time gripping that bat after I came out of the game. It’s frustrating, but it is what it is. We’ll get the surgery done and I’ll be back. It’s not one of those things like a big question mark on how long it’s going to take."

Beckham was batting .316 prior to the injury.

“It’s not ideal," Beckham said. "The way I was feeling at the plate, and also in the field, there’s a lot to be excited about. I think there still is. It just will have to take a little rest time and get going again in June or end of May or whatever and just pick up right where I left off and sprint it out toward October.